1 Samuel 18:8-16 NIV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:16

And all Israel and Judah loved David ,.... The verb is singular, and denotes that everyone of them loved him in all the tribes of Israel, as well as in Judah his own tribe; in such general esteem was he, and so much had he got the hearts and affections of the people: because he went out and came in before them ; the people, as in 1 Samuel 18:13 ; so the Septuagint version, in which, according to the Vatican copy, the verses 1 Samuel 18:17 are wanting. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 18:10

The evil spirit from God - See on 1 Samuel 16:14 ; (note), etc. He prophesied in the midst of the house - He was beside himself; made prayers, supplications, and incoherent imprecations: "God preserve my life," "Destroy my enemies," or such like prayers, might frequently escape from him in his agitated state. The Arabic intimates that he was actually possessed by an evil spirit, and that through it he uttered a sort of demoniacal predictions. But let us examine... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 18:11

Saul cast the javelin - The javelin or spear was the emblem of regal authority; kings always had it at hand, and in ancient monuments they are always represented with it. In ancient times, says Justin, kings used a spear instead of a diadem: Per ea tempora reges hastas pro diademate habebant , Hist. lib. xliii. And as spears were the emblems of supreme power, hence they were reputed as attributes of the Divinity, and were worshipped as representatives of the gods. Ab origne verum,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 18:13

Made him his captain - This was under pretense of doing him honor, when it was in effect only to rid himself of the object of his envy. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 18:15

He was afraid of him - He saw that, by his prudent conduct, he was every day gaining increasing influence. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:1-9

Love and jealousy. One great exploit performed in the sight of two armies took David at once and forever out of obscurity. Thenceforth he was a man much observed. The quiet pastoral life at Bethlehem was ended, and could never be resumed. Sudden success brings rapid distinction, but also brings trials and risks from which the obscure are free. David leaped at a bound into honour and fame, but for that very reason he found himself at the beginning of his troubles. Well that, before those... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:5-11

Some dangers of persistent sin. The facts are— 1 . David, behaving wisely in his public position, wins favour with the people, and in the welcome to him on his return from the battle the women ascribe to him, in their song, higher praise than to Saul. 2 . The fact excites Saul's envy henceforth. 3 . In a fit of envious rage Saul seeks to smite David. The victory over Goliath brought Saul and David into a proximity highly favourable to the development of their respective... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:8-9

What can he have more? etc. Literally, "And there is beside for him only the kingdom. Though many years had passed since Samuel pronounced Saul's deposition, and the choice of another in his place ( 1 Samuel 15:28 ), yet it was not a thing that a king could ever forget. No doubt he had often looked out for signs of the person destined to be his successor; and now, when he had stood powerless before the enemy, a shepherd boy had stepped forth and given him the victory. And this stripling,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:10-11

It came to pass on the morrow . The day had been a time of public triumph, and yet one of the chief actors goes home to a sleepless couch, because he thinks that another has received higher honour than himself. His melancholy deepens till a fit of insanity comes on. For the evil spirit from God came upon Saul. Literally, " an evil spirit (breath) of God descended mightily upon Saul" (see 1 Samuel 16:15 ). Just as all mighty enthusiasms for good come from God, so do strong influences for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:12-16

Saul was afraid of David. new feeling. To his jealousy succeeded a sense of powerlessness, as knowing that a higher power was with David, while he had lost the Divine protection. This miserable feeling grew upon the unhappy king, till before the battle of Gilboa we find him with all his old heroic spirit gone, a miserable wreck, seeking for comfort at the hands of a woman of the most worthless kind ( 1 Samuel 28:5 , 1 Samuel 28:7 , 1 Samuel 28:20 ). In this despondent state of mind he... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 18:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 18:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 18:13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 18:15

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:1-9

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:5-11

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:8-9

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:10-11

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 18:12-16

Group of Brands